Exclusive
Uncoupling unconsciously
What’s really behind Chris Martin & Dakota Johnson’s split after 8 years as actress feels ‘incredible pain’ at break-up
The couple had confirmed their engagement last year
LOVE-SPLIT stars Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson were on the rocks for ten months as cracks began to appear on their picture- perfect facade.
But while reps for the Coldplay frontman and Fifty Shades Of Grey actress Dakota insisted they were “happily together”, in reality their eight-year romance was falling apart.
9
9
9
The pair, who got engaged in 2020 but kept it under wraps for years, have now broken up for what is understood to be the final time, with those close to them saying it is Dakota left licking her wounds.
A well-placed source revealed: “Dakota wanted this relationship to work.
“She not only loves Chris, but his two kids, and that loss feels incredibly painful.
“The decision to end things was amicable, but Dakota is finding it hard.
read more on dakota johnson
“Over the past year, it became clear that their relationship had stalled and wasn’t moving forwards.
“Having children together didn’t seem to be on the cards, and their careers have been pulling them in different directions.
“Chris has been on tour for three years, his schedule is insane.
“Settling down, as in Chris properly taking his foot off the pedal, isn’t going to happen.
Most read in Celebrity
“And, ultimately, it was one of the many straws that broke the back of them.”
It is not the first time Chris, 48, and Dakota, 35, have ended things.
Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson visits Hindu temple ahead of Coldplay concert
In 2019, just over a year after they started dating, they split after it was alleged she had brought up wanting kids — a ship that insiders said had sailed for Chris, who already has Apple, 21, and Moses, 19, with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
They quickly reunited and an engagement soon followed, with a huge emerald ring that was reported to have cost Chris £300,000.
Dakota moved in to Chris’s Malibu home and went on to become a familiar face at gatherings with Gwyneth, who says her ex-husband is now like a brother to her.
In fact, Gwyn — who married Chris in 2003 but announced in 2014 that she was “consciously uncoupling” from the music star — gave the couple her seal of approval.
She said of Dakota in 2020: “I love her. I can see how it would seem weird because it’s sort of unconventional.
"But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her.”
It was finally confirmed Chris and Dakota were engaged last year, but the wedding never happened.
By summer, their relationship was said to have been close to breaking point again.
9
“This break-up has been on the cards for almost a year,” our source explained.
“Chris and Dakota have had issues in their relationship, but they have always managed to work through them.
“They approached it like a team and were supportive of each other’s careers.
"Dakota even directed Coldplay’s video for Cry Cry Cry in 2020.
“They were great cheerleaders for each other.
"But after he went on tour in 2022, things became more complicated.
"Earlier this year, they had more time to talk because Chris’s schedule calmed down and it became clear they were in a rut and they weren’t moving forwards.
“Dakota is holding out that there is hope for them in the future but, for now, they aren’t together and are trying to move forwards.”
'WILD RIDE'
Insiders claim Coldplay’s intense Music Of The Spheres world tour unquestionably played a part in Chris’s latest split from Dakota.
The mammoth, 225-date run of shows started in March 2022, when she was filming superhero blockbuster Madame Web, in which she played the leading lady.
The band’s trek, which will see Chris back on stage tonight in Clark County, Nevada, features performances across 43 countries — with the final leg booked for London in August and September, where Coldplay will hold a ten-night residency at Wembley Stadium.
“Chris and Dakota weren’t often on the same time zones, but they made it work,” our source explained.
“But eight years is a long time to be together and not actually be able to properly settle down.
“When they first got together, Chris and Dakota had a semi-normal life.
“They spent time together and did things that normal couples do, like hanging out on the beach and going on long walks.
"But Chris is not the kind of man who can sit down and twiddle his thumbs.
9
9
“Coldplay’s ninth album, Music Of The Spheres, came out in 2021 and they started the tour a year later.
“On the road, they dropped the album Moon Music last year, too. It’s been a wild ride.
“Chris is a born performer and this work, alongside other endeavours, is what he’ll do for decades to come.
“There was no wedding because when was there going to be time?
“Dakota’s schedule is far less intense, but just a glance at Chris’s is enough to make your eyes cross.”
Those close to the couple said talk of starting a family was also always in the background of their relationship.
Our insider explained: “Dakota is an amazing stepmother to Chris’s children and she adored them.
"Family is very important to both her and Chris, and Dakota loved nothing more than being around them.
“But Chris is older, he’s got children already.”
Last year, Dakota made her feelings clear when asked about motherhood during a candid interview.
We’re not here for very long, so if I’m meant to be a mother, bring it on
Dakota Johnson
She said: “I’m so open to that.
“I’ve gotten to this place where I really want to experience everything life has to offer.
“And, especially being a woman, I’m like, ‘What a magical f***ing thing to do. What a crazy, magical, wild experience’.
"If that’s meant to happen for me, I’m totally down for it.
“We’re not here for very long, so if I’m meant to be a mother, bring it on.”
Of Chris’s children, Apple and Moses, she added: “I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart.”
Dakota was seen for the first time after the news of their split in New York this week.
She had taken off the emerald engagement ring Chris proposed with and kept a low profile as she headed for lunch with friends.
Chris, meanwhile, will play another night in Clark County tomorrow, before shows in Colorado, Texas and Massachusetts.
9
9
Our source said: “It’s business as usual for Chris and Dakota right now, because there’s nothing else they can do.
“Break-ups are never easy and this one isn’t any different.
“But they haven’t been together for some time, so there has been a chance for Dakota and Chris to navigate this without it being public knowledge.
“The hardest part for Dakota will be losing not only Chris, but the extended family in Apple and Moses, who she doted on.
“They will undoubtedly stay in touch as they’re older — they’re not kids any more.
“But it won’t be the same and naturally they will grow apart as people so often do.
Read More on The Sun
“It’s going to be a difficult road for her to navigate, but there is nothing but love between them.
“Sadly it just wasn’t going to be the happily ever after Dakota wanted."
9
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Topics